Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;Penny Love&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Penny Love’ particularly characterized by flowers which are yellow with red/purple stripes and a red/purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Penny Love’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Penny Love’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Penny Love’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Penny Love’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 2003 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Sunrise Delight’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Timothy Christopher’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Penny Love’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2011 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture(mericloning) was first performed in November, 2011 in Cieweg 13,Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Penny Love’, which in combinationdistinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are yellow with red/purple stripes and a        red/purple labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Penny Love’, the femaleparent ‘Sunrise Delight’ is yellow/orange with red/purple stripes andpink in the labellum, the male parent ‘Timothy Christopher’ is whitewith a little yellow in labellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Penny Love’are yellow with red/purple stripes and a red/purple labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Penny Love’ can bemeaningfully compared is ‘Penny Lane’. The flowers of ‘Penny Lane’ aredarker yellow and have more red/purple stripes. Also the labellumdiffers in color and shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Penny Love’ showing the colors as true as isreasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors inthe photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Penny Love’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Penny Love’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Penny Love’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Penny Love’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Penny Love’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivarmay vary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Penny Love’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘PennyLove’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the floweringphase of ‘Penny Love’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. duringthe day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Penny Love’ are aminimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizerwith level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration ofgrowth of ‘Penny Love’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Penny Love’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent: Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Sunrise Delight’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Timothy Christopher’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-6            mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 38 cm Spread: about 40 cm.        -   Growth habit.—small; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a            relatively normal raceme.        -   Vigor.—moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19 ° C. about 2 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—oval; the tip is blunt and            asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—none.        -   Mature leaf length.—about 17 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—about 7 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—about 2 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—upper side: green (RHS 137A) Under side:            green (RHS 137A and RHS 137B).        -   Leaf base.—acute.        -   Margin.—entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 137A) under side: green (RHS 137C).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme: Quantity per plant: about 1-4 Number of flowers per raceme:    about 6-20 Length: about 18 cm Diameter: about 4 mm.-   Peduncle: Length: about 14 cm Diameter: about 3 mm Strength: strong    Aspect: upright Texture: glabrous and smooth Color: green (RHS 137B)    with brown (RHS 200A).    -   -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 18 mm Diameter (at            midpoint): about 16 mm Shape: oval with a bump Color:            yellow/green (RHS 144D) and red/purple (RHS 71A)            Orientation: same as flowers (forward facing).        -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that            has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a            temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after            a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-4            racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers            can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a            plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.        -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;            lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.        -   Fragrance.—no fragrance.        -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3            days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at            opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of            Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2 Size (of single bloom): Height:            about 45 mm Diameter: about 55 mm Quantity and arrangement:            three petals and three sepals that are trimerous,            overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are more            pronounced than sepals.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2            lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall            shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped Apex: round Margin:            entire and weakly undulate Base: broadly ovate Length: about            23 mm Width: about 22 mm Texture: Upper surface: smooth and            satiny Under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully            opened): upper side: yellow (RHS 8B and RHS 8C) with            red/purple (RHS 71A) stripes. Under side: yellow/green (RHS            154C) with red/purple stripes (RHS 71A) Labellum: Overall            shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent callosities at central            junction of the lateral lobes and base of the midlobe.            Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward about the column; the            midlobe extends forward and is terminated by 2 stubs            appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the labellum are            ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular with a bump            and a rib on it. Margin: entire and weakly undulate Apex of            the midlobe and lateral lobes: oval Length midlobe: about 17            mm Width midlobe (not flattened): about 15 mm Length lateral            lobe: about 15 mm Width lateral lobe (not flattened): about            7 mm Depth of tube created by lateral lobes of labellum:            about 7 mm Texture: Upper & under surface: smooth and satiny            Color (when fully opened): Midlobe, upper side: main color            is red/purple (RHS N71A) with at the base some yellow (RHS            8B and RHS 8C) and at the end some purple (RHS N78A). Under            side: at the base and in the edges red/purple (RHS 71A). In            the center white (RHS NN155D). Lateral lobes, upper side: at            the base some white (RHS NN155D) with yellow (RHS 8B and RHS            8C) and some red/purple spots (RHS 71A). Lower edge            red/purple (RHS 71A) which runs into purple (RHS N78A).            Under side: white (RHS NN155D) with some yellow (RHS 8A) at            the base and upper edge. Rest is red/purple (RHS 71A) with            purple (RHS N78A). Cirrhi: about 0.5 mm color: yellow (RHS            8A) Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 3 mm Width (not            flattened): about 4 mm Color: yellow (RHS 9A) with            red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 71A).        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one            dorsal and two lateral sepals Overall shape: elliptical and            weakly cupped Margin: entire and weakly undulate Length:            about 21 mm Width: about 18 mm Apex: oval Texture: Upper and            under surface: smooth and satiny Color (when fully opened):            Upper side, dorsal: from the base white (RHS NN155D) which            runs into yellow (RHS 8B and RHS 8C) with red/purple            stripes/spots (RHS 71A) and a haze of yellow/green (RHS            154D). Lateral: at the base some white (RHS NN155D) which            runs into yellow (RHS 8B and RHS 8C) with red/purple            stripes/spots (RHS 71A) and a haze of yellow/green (RHS            154D). Under side, dorsal: yellow/green (RHS 154C and 154D)            with some red/purple stripes (RHS 71A) Lateral: yellow/green            (RHS 154C and 154D) with some red/purple stripes (RHS 71A).        -   Pedicel.—Length: about 3,5 mm Diameter: about 2 mm Texture:            glabrous and smooth Color: yellow/green (RHS 154D) which            runs into yellow/green (RHS 146C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 1,8 mm Diameter: about 3,5 mm Color:            purple (RHS 78B) with yellow (RHS 8D).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two Diameter: about 2 mm Color:            yellow/orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 35 mm Diameter: about 30 mm Color:            white (RHS NN155D).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Penny Love’, as illustrated and described herein.